Cops failed to prevent Mayiladuthurai honour killings despite complaint: CPI-linked rights body

CHENNAI: The CPI-affiliated Tamil Nadu Oppressed People's Rights Movement has alleged serious lapses by the State police in preventing the Mayiladuthurai honour killings, accusing cops of not acting despite the Dalit youth being attacked and seeking protection.

The twin murders could have been averted if the police had promptly acted upon the complaint lodged by one of the victims, 19-year-old Parthiban, had lodged a complaint with the police on June 29, the rights body said in a statement.

In a joint statement, state president Po Lingam and general secretary T Lenin alleged that five persons, including the woman's father, had assaulted the Dalit youth and abused him using caste-based slurs, the day before he was found dead with his lady love who hails from a Most Backward Class community.

Despite raising a police complaint over the incident, no proper police cover was extended to the couple, who were later found hanging in a grove near Sathankudi on June 30, the rights body said in a statement.

It urged the TVK government to take swift action in the alleged caste honour killing of the young couple hailing from Sathankudi village in Mayiladuthurai district.

The organisation lamented the situation where society and the police failed to protect their right to choose their partner, despite being in a relationship, which was opposed by the woman's family because of caste differences, for the past two years.

The organisation pointed out how members of several political parties and outfits, including the CPI, CPM, the Untouchability Eradication Front, and the VCK, were promptly arrested by the police for conducting protests over the issue.

Holding the police responsible for failing to provide protection despite a prior complaint, the organisation alleged that the murders could have been prevented had prompt action been taken.

It urged the Tamil Nadu government to immediately enact a special law to prevent caste honour killings during the forthcoming Assembly session, provide stringent punishment for those involved in such crimes, and initiate legal action against all those responsible for the alleged honour killing.